Neonchameleon
Legend
A clear sign of a problem DM.I am running the game and I like the lore, so tough.
No. It's a clear sign of a problem in the relationship between the player and the DM.No, it’s a clear sign of a problem player.
In the example earlier in this thread it was explicitly a response to a problem DM and we know this because the very same players who used malicious compliance with a problem DM were fine with one who was more relaxed.
In my view when the DM says things like "I am running the game and I like the lore, so tough." then that DM is explicitly stamping on player agency. There are no players without agency unless the DM has taken it away by saying things like "so tough" whenever they offer a suggestion.So in your view players completely lack agency and whatever they do is the result of the DM. That’s certainly…interesting.
Let me be clear. There are precisely zero players who ""cannot possible be creative while playing their characters". None. Nada. If you are physically capable of playing a character then you are capable of some creativity while playing that character. There are however players who will be more creative and players who will be less creative. And players who need more encouragement to be creative and players who will more easily be discouraged from being creative.So the player cannot possible be creative while playing their characters unless they get to be creative in co-designing the world they play those characters in? That’s certainly a hot take.
If you have players to help co-design the setting then you are encouraging their creativity. And if you greedily hog the design of the setting to yourself then you are discouraging their creativity. Also if you think they can't be creative you discourage their creativity.
The reason I am arguing so hard against the DMing practices you advocate is because they are exactly the DMing practices I expect to discourage creativity and engagement from players. And from your description of your group this is exactly what has happened. And the problem is only with the players in that they've learned from your DMing practices.